🇧🇪 Brussels vs 🇫🇷 Paris

Brussels sits in a broad valley carved by the Senne river, with the city climbing from the low-lying lower town (~15m elevation) to the upper town and surrounding plateaus (~100m). This topographic split creates distinct microclimates: the lower town is prone to fog, temperature inversions, and trapped humidity, while the higher southeastern districts enjoy better ventilation and slightly cooler summers. The city's extensive parks and forested edges — particularly the Sonian Forest to the southeast — provide significant cooling corridors, but the dense 19th-century urban core generates a pronounced heat island effect.

Semi-oceanic — mild with four distinct seasons, regular rainfall

Paris has a pleasant climate with warm summers and cool winters. Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for a reason — mild temperatures, manageable crowds, and the city at its most photogenic. Summers can have heat waves; winters are cold but rarely harsh.